DE Rickards Returns to the team

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DE Rickards Returns to the team

My Take: I say he has his spot back by 4th game. Nothing against Gray but Ramon brings a different mentality to the spot.

Rickards will be allowed to return to FAU squadBy Marcus Nelson

Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

Wednesday, August 25, 2004

BOCA RATON ? After leaving the Florida Atlantic team last week in a dispute over playing time, senior defensive end Ramon Rickards will be allowed to return.

Coach Howard Schnellenberger said he decided to reinstate Rickards after meeting with him Tuesday. But Rickards will not be allowed to accompany the team to the opener Sept. 4 at Hawaii.

"I didn't know he wanted back on, but I talked with him," Schnellenberger said. "I thought he was gone and hadn't given him much thought. But he was visibly remorseful and I thought it would be better for him and possibly us, although I don't know that for sure."

He quit the team last Wednesday when he learned he had been demoted to second team behind senior William Gray.

Besides missing the opener, Rickards, a three-year starter, will do at least some time on the scout team.

"It gives him a chance to finish out his career here and a chance to graduate," Schnellenberger said.

A starter from last year's team could return as well, the coach said, if the NCAA approves.

The eligibility of offensive tackle Ken Campos ran out last season because it was discovered that he had enrolled at a small college in 1999 before attending FAU. Campos has appealed his case to the NCAA.

"They haven't ruled on him and he still might be with us," Schnellenberger said. "They have to do something. They just can't let the guy die on the vine."

Final scrimmage today: The Owls will hold their final full-contact scrimmage today, and Schnellenberger hopes to see better offense than in Saturday's scrimmage.

"It's very important to us," he said. "We'll set the team after this game, but it gives us time to make corrections where we need it."

Several players ? most notably tight end Anthony Crissinger-Hill ? who have been bothered with nagging injuries are expected to play today. The scrimmage begins at 4 p.m. at the Tom Oxley Practice Fields